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FF's underhand campaign against abortion legislation

While Billy Kelleher is playing the statesman on abortion in the Dáil (and being thanked by Gilbore), FF's local councillors have been playing another game.

"Sligo County Council has passed a motion on abortion legislation.
It requested that 'in keeping with the will of the Irish people - as expressed in the referendum of November 1983 - that Sligo County Council opposes any form of legislation of abortion in any circumstances other than in accordance with Article 40.3.3 of the constitution.'
Fianna Fail Cllr Martin Baker and Cllr Jerry Lundy put forward the motion at a recent meeting of the local authority."Sligo Co Co passes motion on abortion | Ocean FM

“Leitrim County Council has passed a motion to oppose any form of legalisation of abortion under any circumstances.

Cllr Mary Bohan put forward the motion at Monday’s council meeting proposing that “in keeping with the wishes of the Irish people, as emphatically expressed in the 1983 Referendum, Leitrim County Council opposes any form of legalisation of abortion in any circumstances”.
The motion was seconded by Cllr Francis Gilmartin.”Council backs move to oppose legalisation of abortion - Local - Leitrim Observer

Identically worded motions put forward by FF councillors, attracting little attention locally. How many other councils have passed similar motions?
This smells of an organised campaign. Who is behind it and what, if anything, does Mehole Martin have to say about it?

Fianna Fáil do not have a party line on abortion. To suggest otherwise is to play vindictive party political games with the issue. The party is split on the matter, hence no one coherent policy has been formed. Ógra has called for (and the motion was most recently endorse last November) to legislate for the X-case. Some of our politicians are for that, some are against it. There is no policy agreed by the members.

Fianna Fáil do not have a party line on abortion. To suggest otherwise is to play vindictive party political games with the issue. The party is split on the matter, hence no one coherent policy has been formed. Ógra has called for (and the motion was most recently endorse last November) to legislate for the X-case. Some of our politicians are for that, some are against it. There is no policy agreed by the members.

Fianna Fáil do not have a party line on abortion. To suggest otherwise is to play vindictive party political games with the issue. The party is split on the matter, hence no one coherent policy has been formed. Ógra has called for (and the motion was most recently endorse last November) to legislate for the X-case. Some of our politicians are for that, some are against it. There is no policy agreed by the members.

"Our policy is we have no policy", eh?

If they come to ethnically cleanse me, Will you speak out? Will you defend me?
Freedom of expression doesn't make it alright, Trampled underfoot by the rise of the right

“In keeping with the will of the Irish people as emphatically expressed in the referendum of November, 1983 Sligo County Council opposes any form of legislation of abortion in any circumstances.”

At the outset Councillor Bree proposed an amendment to this motion and following a brief discussion it was;

Proposed by Councillor D. Bree

Seconded by Councillor J. Leonard

AND AGREED

“That the following words be added to Councillor Baker and Lundy’s motion: ‘other that in accordance with Article 40.3.3 of the constitution.’ The amended motion would then read: ‘In keeping with the will of the Irish people as emphatically expressed in the referendum of November, 1983 Sligo County Council opposes any form of legislation of abortion in any circumstances other that in accordance with Article 40.3.3 of the constitution.’

So Sligo is saying "we oppose any unconstitutional legislation" and the Breeless councils are saying "we oppose any constitutional legislation".

Donegal CC minutes from July [edit: emphasis added]:

IN KEEPING WITH THE WILL OF THE IRISH PEOPLE AS EMPHATICALLY EXPRESSED IN THE REFERENDUM OF 1983, DONEGAL COUNTY COUNCIL OPPOSES ANY FORM OF LEGALISATION OF ABORTION IN ANY CIRCUMSTANCES
The following motion was submitted by Clr. Donaghey:-
“In keeping with the will of the Irish people as emphatically expressed in the referendum of 1983, Donegal County Council opposes any form of legalisation of abortion in any circumstances”.
Clr. Donaghey called on the Council to oppose any form of the legalisation of abortion. A presentation entitled “Protecting Mother and Baby was circulated to Members for their information.
Clr. Campbell called for the motion to be amended and thus proposed, seconded by Clr. Mc Garvey that “In keeping with the will of the Irish people as emphatically expressed in the
referenda of 1983, 1992 and 2002, Donegal County Council opposes any form of legalisation of abortion on demand and awaits the expert group report on the 2010 ECHR ruling”.
Clr. Donaghey called for a recorded vote.
Mr. Liam Ward, Meetings Administrator informed the meeting that a vote would be taken firstly in relation to the amendment and proceeded to read the wording as outlined above into the record.
A recorded vote taken by the Meetings Administrator resulted in 7 voting for the amendment with 17 voting against.
Those voting in favour included:-
Clrs Boyle, Campbell, Gallagher, Harvey, Mc Garvey, Murray and Quinn. (7)
Those voting against included:-
Clrs Alcorn, Blaney, Brogan, Canning, Crawford, M. Doherty, P. Doherty, R. Donaghey, Farren, Harley, Larkin, Mc Brearty, M. Mc Bride, Mc Eniff, Mc Gowan, O’ Domhnaill, and Slowey. (17)
Clr. Campbell advised that he wished to comment on the loss of the amendment in accordance with Standing Order No. 54. His motion, he confirmed, had specifically acknowledged the will of the Irish people as provided for in the referenda of 1983, 1992 and 2002, a feature which would be lost in the motion now before the Council.
A recorded vote on the motion was then taken by the Meeting’s Administrator. This resulted in 17 voting for the motion with 1 voting against and 6 abstentions.
Those voting in favour included:-
Clrs Alcorn, Blaney, Brogan, Canning, Crawford, M. Doherty, P. Doherty, R. Donaghey, Farren, Harley, Larkin, Mc Brearty, M. Mc Bride, Mc Eniff, Mc Gowan, O’ Domhnaill, and Slowey. (17)
Those voting against included:-
Clr. Campbell
Clrs Boyle, Gallagher, Harvey, Mc Garvey, Murray, and Quinn abstained.
The Mayor declared the motion carried and it was agreed to circulate a copy to all Local Authorities for consideration.

Last edited by asterix; 16th November 2012 at 06:59 PM.
Reason: Bolded some interesting Donegal minutes